if it's too squishy you can let it dry and needle felt the heck out of it. I have one of the handle things that holds multiple needles so you can stab in more than one spot at once, but if you are persistant you can get the job done with one. I find needling really helps firm things up.

a sewing needle won't work for needle felting , though I've heard of people somehow carving into them to make barbs so they will work.As far as the rest of your plan, it will work out fine. I've done them before using cheap foam balls as a base so I didn't have to do quite so much felting. I've also felted around those large round jingle bells so that when you roll the ball or play with it it jingles. When I did the one with the jingle bell I wrapped a few layers of wool around the bell, lightly needle felted to hold it in place and then wet felted. Good luck, it's a lot a fun and the kids I gave them to really liked them.

how about a sash? or maybe one of those light up/blinking rings.also, you could decorate a cheap pair of flip flops or canvas flats.... a picture frame to hold a photo of her in her princess get up would be nicee too.

I made the invites and purses for all the girls (which of course I forgot to photograph) I also made picture frames that doubled as placecards and cloth napkins. We had finger sandwiches that I cut into butterfly and flower shapes with cookie cutters, fruit salad, tea. lemonade in fancy glasses with heart shaped, strawberry flavored ice cubes, and a variety of tea cookies. My sister made a cake in the shape of a teapot. A good time was had by all. Anyhoo, on to the picsthe table